Controversial call in Cowboys–Eagles game leaves fans outraged
The Dallas Cowboys pulled off the win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, but a bad call by the officials almost changed the outcome.
During Sunday’s Dallas Cowboys vs Philadelphia Eagles game, officials made a major error that helped Philadelphia extend its early lead, and the Cowboys fans were not happy about it. Fortunately for them, Dallas ended up taking the win, but if they hadn’t, this may have turned into an even bigger conversation.
Cowboys–Eagles officiating under fire after early controversy
In the first quarter of the game, Dallas was trailing 7–0. The Cowboys forced a 3rd-and-10 stop, but on the ensuing punt they were flagged for roughing the kicker against Cowboys special teamer Ryan Flournoy, which allowed the Eagles to take back the ball with an automatic first down. They went on to score during that possession.
The problem is, the replays showed the ball was clearly tipped, which should have nullified the penalty. But neither the referees nor the Cowboys’ sideline caught it in time to challenge, leading to heavy criticism from fans online.
Roughing the kicker was called on the Cowboys despite replay appearing to show that Dallas got a hand on the ball. pic.twitter.com/zX1rQ8mhbT
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 23, 2025
Cowboys were already overmatched to begin with, but then the Eagles have to get every break imaginable too. When we literally tip a kick, it's called roughing but that's called running into the kicker. LOL
— Let Ray Cook (@CantStopDaRayne) November 23, 2025
Many blasted the officiating, arguing the blown call “gifted” the Eagles momentum and ultimately a touchdown, as Philadelphia drove the length of the field and scored to go up 14–0 on a Jalen Hurts run. They ended up getting a third touchdown and taking a 21-0 lead towards the end of the second quarter, but the Cowboys finally got a score of their own before the half.
It wasn’t until the second half that the Cowboys came to life and went on a run of 14 more unanswered points to tie the game, which came down to a walk-off field goal by Brandon Aubrey in the final seconds to give Dallas the win. Had Dallas ended up losing, especially by a small score, fans would likely be even more outraged than they already were.
NFL acknowledges blown call
The NFL actually acknowledged that officials made the wrong call on the roughing-the-kicker penalty, but said the mistake happened because Fox did not provide a replay angle in time. Although Flournoy tipped the punt, neither the league’s replay booth nor the Cowboys had access to a clear view until after the next play.
NFL replay VP Mark Butterworth said they need “clear and obvious” video evidence to overturn the flag, but the key enhanced shot wasn’t available to them until it was too late. Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said the team also couldn’t see a definitive angle in time, even though Flournoy insisted he touched the ball.
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